Victorino could restart rehab assignment next week

BOSTON -- Shane Victorino had another productive work day on Tuesday, one that leaves the Red Sox hoping their right fielder can restart his Minor League rehab assignment by next week.

Victorino has played just 21 games this season due to right hamstring woes, and more recently, some soreness in his lower back.

"Vic continues to increase his jogging, running and agility work," said manager John Farrell. "I would hope that sometime next week we could begin another rehab assignment for him in games played. This has been a start and stop situation and we're trying to do everything that we can once we restart it, that it continues on."

Third baseman Will Middlebrooks, recently shut down from his Minor League rehab assignment with swelling in his right index finger, was back in the lineup for Pawtucket on Tuesday.

Mike Carp, coming off a fractured right foot, was set to play his fourth game in five days for the PawSox on Tuesday, this one at first base.

Farrell hopes to have familiar faces in AL dugout

BOSTON -- Though it hasn't been a first half to write home about for the Red Sox, John Farrell still hopes to have plenty of familiar company in his dugout when he manages the American League All-Star team on July 15 at Target Field.

"I think there's some guys who clearly stand out, and that's what David [Ortiz] has done in this first half, what Jon Lester has done, what Koji [Uehara] has done. Dustin [Pedroia] is always going to be [well-recognized] in that player voting even though he's in the fan voting in that top three as well. John Lackey has had a very strong first half. I think we have a good representation of players that are going to be in the conversation."

Of course, once the starters are elected by the fans, and the bulk of the reserves are elected by the player vote, Farrell works in conjunction with Major League Baseball to select seven spots.

"The way I look at it is there's seven selections to be made, and until we have the fan vote and the player vote, then things will take shape and certainly be a lot more clear," said Farrell.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.

Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Gillette Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 14.

The 2014 AL and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the Taco Bell All-Star Selection Show on Sunday, beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.